Lake Forester: Turelli to run for state representative again
Click here to read the article on the Lake Forester website.
Though she already announced she would run for Lake County Board, Lauren Turelli of Lake Forest has switched gears and will repeat her bid for state representative in the 58th District.
Turelli, 40, said the day after incumbent State Rep. Karen May (D-Highland Park) announced she would not seek re-election, the calls started.
“My phone was ringing off the hook from supporters asking me to run again,” said Turelli.
The long-time Lake Forester said she is giving up her bid to run in the redrawn Lake County Board District 12 race, where she faced Republican contenders Scott Helton and Mike Rummel.
Instead, she becomes the second Republican candidate to vie for May’s seat. Dr. Mark Neerhof, 53, of Lake Forest announced earlier he was running. Keith Gray, 50, of Mettawa also announced he was running, but he backed out Tuesday after Turelli joined the race.
“Lauren and I have been friends for a long time, and I made a promise to her that should she seek public office again I would support her,” Gray explained in a statement. “I feel that it is most important to keep a promise made to a good friend and fantastic candidate.”
Turelli has received support from Lake County GOP Chairman Bob Cook and other township and state GOP leaders.
The Republican Party “was very supportive of me getting in this race,” Turelli said. “They think I have the best chance of winning.”
No Democratic candidate has yet announced his or her candidacy.
Turelli originally abandoned thoughts of running against May for the second time in two years, but said May’s announcement “turned the tide.”
“I thought of jumping in (in August), but my father was very ill,” she said.
The day before May dropped her political bombshell, Turelli’s father received a good prognosis on his health.
“The stars and moons aligned,” Turelli said. “Former supporters and my family told me to reconsider, and I did.”
Turelli speaks with respect of the work May has done representing the district for more than a decade.
“She’s a heck of a public servant,” said Turelli. “I give her all the respect in the world. She has a strong following.”
Turelli already started knocking on doors Sunday, explaining to potential supporters what she brings to the position.
“I have a deep understanding of the issues we face in Springfield,” said Turelli. “After running this race before, I know common sense business perspective is badly needed in Springfield.”
The problems that existed when she ran before have not disappeared, Turelli said. “They got worse.”
As a former teacher, Turelli said she brings education experience to the table.
“Education is under-funded in some respects. I think we need to look at charter schools and offer vouchers to some of our neediest public schools,” she said.
She believes “drastic reforms” are needed on state pensions and that “deficit spending isn’t working.” Turelli also sees bringing jobs back to the state as the state’s top priority.
Turelli said she has the name recognition in the district to win the seat for the Republican Party.
“I knocked on 80 percent of the doors in the district last time and I really know what’s important to people,” she said.
At a times when families are strapped more than ever, the state imposed an income tax hike, corporate taxes increased and employers are leaving the state, Turelli believes she can make a difference in Springfield by working across party lines.
“Who’s being looked out for here? Certainly not the families of Illinois,” she said.
Turelli is married and has three sons.
Click here to read the article on the Lake Forester website.
Filed in: In the News